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Health Conditions
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Migraine

Migraine is a common, chronic neurological condition causing recurrent, moderate-to-severe throbbing head pain, often with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. It affects women more frequently than men.

Prepared from the sources listed below. This overview is educational and is not a diagnosis or treatment plan.

A serene, abstract representation of calm and balance in muted coral and deep teal tones.
A serene, abstract representation of calm and balance in muted coral and deep teal tones.

Overview

A clear starting point

Migraine is a prevalent and often lifelong neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe head pain. The pain is typically throbbing, frequently affects one side of the head, and can last from hours to days. Beyond headache, migraine episodes often involve disabling symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Some individuals experience an "aura"—visual or sensory disturbances—before the headache begins. While the exact cause remains unclear, migraine involves complex interactions among nerve signals, brain chemicals, and blood vessels, and can be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or environmental factors. It is a leading cause of disability worldwide.

Four key facts

  1. 1Migraine is a leading cause of disability worldwide, often beginning during puberty and peaking between ages 35 and 45.
  2. 2It is significantly more common in women than in men, likely due to hormonal influences.
  3. 3A migraine episode can occur in phases, including warning signs (prodrome), aura, the headache itself, and a recovery phase (postdrome).
  4. 4Migraine is a complex neurological condition, not just a bad headache, and its triggers vary widely among individuals.

Useful points to discuss

Keep a detailed headache diary to identify and avoid personal triggers such as specific foods, stress, or sleep changes.
Maintain consistent routines for sleep, meals, and hydration to help reduce the frequency of migraine episodes.
Consult a healthcare professional to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop a tailored management plan, which may include acute and preventive treatments.

When professional care may be important

These examples are not a diagnosis checklist. New, severe, rapidly worsening, or concerning symptoms should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional; emergencies require local emergency services.

  • Seek immediate medical attention for a sudden, severe headache that feels like the worst you have ever had.
  • Consult a healthcare provider if a headache is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, or weakness.
  • Discuss with a clinician if your headaches change in pattern, become more frequent, or do not improve with your usual treatments.

Source trail

Authoritative references

Source publishers and titles are listed as non-clickable references so this page never sends visitors to another website.

  1. 1. World Health Organization (WHO)Migraine and other headache disordersPublished or updated 2025-10-24
  2. 2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)Migraine
  3. 3. The Journal of Headache and Pain (Springer)Headache prevalence and demographic associations in the Delhi and National Capital Region of India: estimates from a cross-sectional nationwide population-based studyPublished or updated 2024-06-28